The One Role Marilyn Monroe Was Truly Honored to Play

For much of her career, Marilyn Monroe was celebrated—and often confined—as Hollywood’s ultimate sex symbol. Known for her effervescent charm and iconic beauty, she lit up the screen in roles that leaned heavily into the “dumb blonde” archetype. But in 1956, Monroe shattered that image with a performance that proved she was far more than a pretty face. The role that did it? Cherie, the ambitious and vulnerable nightclub singer in Bus Stop.

Monroe herself regarded the role of Cherie as one of the most meaningful of her career. For the first time, she was given the space to step away from glamour and lean fully into emotional complexity. Cherie wasn’t just another love interest—she was a woman with dreams, fears, and dignity, struggling for a better life. Monroe saw reflections of her own life in Cherie’s journey, and that connection infused her performance with rare sincerity and grit.

Critics took notice. The New York Times hailed her portrayal as a revelation, writing that Monroe had “finally proved herself” as a serious actress. The role marked a turning point—both professionally and personally—for Monroe, who had recently studied at the Actors Studio under Lee Strasberg in pursuit of dramatic legitimacy. Bus Stop became her statement piece, a declaration that she was not to be underestimated.

This pride stood in stark contrast to her experience with Let’s Make Love (1960), a film she later called the low point of her career. Playing Amanda, Monroe felt stifled by a weak script and uninspired direction. Despite her then-husband Arthur Miller’s attempts to improve the screenplay, Monroe lamented that “there was nothing there with the writing.” It was the kind of hollow role she had fought so hard to move beyond—and a painful reminder of the industry’s reluctance to let her evolve.

Ultimately, Cherie in Bus Stop was more than just a character. For Marilyn Monroe, it was a triumph of transformation—a role that aligned with her personal quest to be seen as an artist, not an illusion. In stepping into Cherie’s worn boots and small-town dreams, Monroe took a giant leap toward reclaiming her narrative—and cemented her legacy as more than just a symbol, but a serious, soulful actress.